Have any of you who sail Jordan Lake had problems at the Vista Point launch area? I know maintenance money is tight so there isn't much maintenance done there but it is getting a little rough. There are only two launch ramps. One is too muddy and I am afraid of getting my vehicle stuck. I also have found someone who runs a rental business for kayaks is blocking the only decent launch ramp by leaving several of them right on the ramp at the waters edge for as long as an hour. It is pretty inconsiderate. I remember when people would launch and clear the ramp quickly so the next boat could be launched. Hobies used to line the beach. The paper once took a photo of the lineup and put it in the paper. Where have all the Hobies gone?

Hey Howard - I was there yesterday and launching was just about impossible. Yes the kayak guy was there blocking the ramp on the right side and left was so deep in mud that the trailer just sank to the axle. Next time I am there i will either have him move his 'yaks or they can be run over with my truck

Yep, I've been to Vista Point a couple of times this year. (I met Howard there last time.) That ramp needs a lot of work. I've not had any issues with access to the ramp but it's in terrible shape. It's a decent place to sail and really convenient for me. I'd love to see them take better care of it.

Has anyone complained at the gate house about the Yak rental guy? That seems easy to fix.

EMSA guys are nice folks, I'm all for pooling resources, but they seem more interested in high $$ performance cats rather than old-school Hobies. I went to a race at duck last week and Hobie sailors were popping out of the woodwork. I think we had ~10 Hobies in the Sunday's field. Maybe we need to try to reestablish a Hobie Fleet in Central/Eastern NC. The guys in Fleet 32 out of VA Beach seem to have a big H-14/16/18/21 group (15 Hobies pre-registered for next weekend's regatta in VA!). Not sure why we couldn't do that here and co-exist with EMSA. Any Interest?

I've been expecting to see you there. I was there the previous two Sundays but the wind forecast for this weekend was much better for Saturday. It blew steadily from the north east all day. The kayaks were there all the days that I was. Saturday morning, I launched around 9 AM and there were 5 kayaks lined up on the good ramp and no one was there. I dragged 3 out of the way so I could launch. Running a commercial enterprise on the state park is against their regulations.

Jonh,

Yes, the beach is right there as you can see in the aerial view you posted. Fifteen or twenty years ago it was ideal. When I first started sailing there it was so crowded that they would hold cars at the gate until someone left. At that time they had closed Ebenezer Point for construction and it shifted everyone to Vista Point.

Garrett,

Enjoyed meeting you that day. Saturday, I had the only Hobie there. It was a perfect day. I couldn't understand where y'all were. I am not into racing but I hope you can find interested sailors in the area.

Enjoyed meeting you that day. Saturday, I had the only Hobie there. It was a perfect day. I couldn't understand where y'all were. I am not into racing but I hope you can find interested sailors in the area.

Yes, I was seriously bummed not to be on the water Saturday. Hard to believe you were the only one! The wind was great all day. My wife was out of town and my daughter had a bunch of friends over so I was stuck at home. I'll be out there again soon. Look forward to seeing you.

Would love to meet up with some folks for tips and a sail. I'm traveling a bit this summer and sons work sometimes so weekends will be precious but will be Hobie weekends if we can help it and the good wife allows.

EMSA guys are nice folks, I'm all for pooling resources, but they seem more interested in high $$ performance cats rather than old-school Hobies.

As I understand it, EMSA is actually a bunch of sailing clubs. Carolina Sailing Club is in it. I have been at Jordan when the CSC is racing and there were actually a number of Hobies and Prindles. I have toyed with joining.

Here are random thoughts:

I need to spend a day/days capsizing my FX and playing with righting it. Even off the racing course, regattas are not the place for it, no matter what. If a number of Hobie sailors did join CSC and a fleet was formed I might join. But my emphasis is still practice and not racing.

The wind rarely cooperates with a planned event around here. Time and money is tight and a no-wind regatta is a no-win, if you know what I mean. This is why I hesitate on the VA regatta.

As I understand it, the VA group has a place to sail out of and keep their boats. They also host regattas. (Wouldn't it be nice to have a lakeside spot to park a boat and sail out of and wouldn't I pay for that.)

I toyed with the idea of creating an email loop or just posting Jordan Lake advance notices on the Division 9 forum. Like: "It's 8-10 mph winds Saturday and I will be there."

Last edited by JJ on Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I just posted an email to Jordan Lake outlining the problems at the launch ramps. If anyone wants to do the same, it may help reinforce my comments. I hope to see you all on the next good sailing weekend.

I sent you an email with information on a contact. I had gone to the Jordan Lake State Park web site (Google) and found a generic "contact us" email address. I sent a description of the problem to them and copied the NC State Park email address that I also came across. I received an answer from an individual and have since replied to her.

Howard,I know where one of the Hobies went... To me! I bought mine from a nice couple in that area. Not to worry; it's gone to a good home and reciving LOTS of attention and some new parts, too! It gets sailed almost every weekend and usually both Saturday and Sunday. It gets to fly a hull every now and then and sometimes even plays with local porpoises

That sounds great. I spent a week at Emerald Isle one year and had perfect sailing every day. We sailed with the dolphins as well. I envy you being at the coast. I have to drive 1 1/2 hours east just to get to Jordan Lake.